The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Budget: 200 Fife Council jobs go and a 3% council tax rise.
Council tax hike of 3% may be in offing, but school clothing grant could increase
Nearly 200 jobs are likely to be axed as Fife Council looks to balance its books.
It is hoped the loss of 190 full-timeequivalent posts can be met by early retirement or voluntary severance, rather than compulsory redundancies.
Next week’s budget meeting could also result in a 3% council tax rise and commuters might also be hit in the pocket if proposed “modest” charges – £1 a day – are introduced for motorists parking in either Ferrytoll or Halbeath park and rides.
The local authority said it recognised the importance of encouraging people to use public transport but believes many people are now using the centres as long-stay car parks, rather than paying for expensive airport parking and so felt users should contribute towards the £350,000 annual running costs.
However, controversial cuts to the school music service have been rejected in the package and, in better news for parents, the budget contains plans to raise the school clothing grant by £15, putting Fife in line with the Scottish average.
This is the first budget drafted by the SNP-Labour administration, which entered into a power-sharing agreement following last May’s local elections.
Labour councillor David Ross, coleader of Fife Council, said: “We face continuing financial pressures and, while it’s not possible to completely offset the impacts of the UK Government’s austerity agenda, this draft budget stands by our joint commitment to protect and defend local services as far as we are able.”
Fellow co-leader David Alexander, an SNP councillor, added: “We believe these proposals balance the need to work within the financial resources available to us with our desire to protect vital local services, meet people’s essential needs and create a fairer Fife.”
When the draft Scottish budget was announced last December, Fife faced a cut of around £29 million. However, the blow was softened by additional Holyrood funding of more than £10 million earlier this year.
The joint administration is proposing to increase council tax by 3% (on band D) to raise £4.17m to put towards local services.
It has also outlined savings of £10.672m from ways of working and service delivery, which will allow for additional investment of £2m in certain areas.
Final decisions will be made when councillors meet on Thursday February 22.
These proposals balance the need to work within the financial resources available with our desire to protect local services DAVID ALEXANDER